THE GOVERNOR ON ABSCONDING HUSBANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue XXIV, 26 April 1902, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR ON ABSCONDING HUSBANDS.

• PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. AuoKMND, April 24, Speaking at the annual meeting of the Society for tbe Protection of Women and Children and Pievtmtion of Cruelty to Animals, Lord Ranf urly said he noticed the Society had ao In - spector of Animals, but he did see that it had any officer to look after the interests of children. He thought such a man would be a boon. He was aware it was a heavy order, but trusted that it would come in time. There was practically very little intentional cruelty, but there was »egleot of children and ther* was crelessues*. He noticed also a paragraph in t'~e r<>- j port regarding an nuitution for a change in the laws. He did not think it was tbe laws that wanted altering, but the action of local au h rities 'hit allowed absconders to leave their wivea and children to fight for themselves. He understood the Oharitabla Aid £oard| would rather keep a wife and family than bear the initial expunge of £2O or £3O to bring a husband back. It would bo far cheaper for a Charitable Aid Board td be veiy strict in a iriging every absconder back aDd make him perform his propar ob'igvions than to support the wives and children, who had in one or two instances he knew of be. n deserted in a most scandalously tthamelul manner.